Sarasota County, North Port still at odds over springs' future

From left Julie Simmerling and Whitney Frost enjoy temperate waters Feb.18 at Warm Mineral Springs in North Port. People from all over the world flock to the springs claiming it's high mineral content can heal the body and mind. The attraction may soon close due to political bickering between county and city government officials.

Published: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 5:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 5:55 p.m.

SARASOTA COUNTY - When a concessionaire's lease of Warm Mineral Springs expires June 30, the Sarasota County Commission and North Port City Commission want to ensure that the tourist attraction remains open.

The city and county, which jointly purchased the springs for $5.5 million in December 2010, agreed to seek competitive bids on a new lease that would keep the mineral springs and its spa, cafe and gift shop operating another 10 months.

Cypress Lending, which currently manages the springs, and Dr. Grigory Pogrebinsky's investment group, WMS Sarasota, which owns 16 acres adjacent to the springs where it wants to build a hotel and medical complex, are likely to be among those who submit offers.

In the meantime, the City Commission and County Commission will try again to craft a proposal that will encourage developers to submit ideas for a public-private partnership that would preserve the springs while also encouraging economic development.

In November, the North Port Commission, with two newly elected members, rejected "an invitation to negotiate" recommended by the county as too broad and not allowing enough public oversight.

On Wednesday, during a seven-hour mediation session intended to keep them from taking their dispute to court, the city and county commissioners still could not come to terms about what they think should be done on the 81 acres.

The county commissioners unanimously think a resort could be built there.

North Port Commissioner Tom Jones, who has returned to work after three months recovering from a stroke, and City Commissioner Jim Blucher said they do so, as well.

Blucher said the springs can be protected from development with an adequate buffer. "Why wouldn't you want a hotel on the rest of it?... We don't need to protect that. We need to build on that."

Blucher stressed that the property's "activity center" zoning allows residential and commercial development. "It was always intended to be built on," he said.

North Port Mayor Linda Yates reiterated her position that the entire property be maintained as a public park and that she still dislikes the idea of a private entity profiting from a public amenity.

Yates tried to persuade the county commissioners to sell the county's half-interest to the city. The county commissioners unanimously refused.

"If you're interested in selling, the county is interested in buying," County Commissioner Nora Patterson told the mayor.

The City Commission rejected a previous offer the county made to buy the city's stake in the springs for less than it paid.

Yates and city commissioners Rhonda DiFranco and Cheryl Cook stressed that they do not want to see commercial enterprises added to the property.

If a 100-room hotel and parking lot were built, "you're eating up a lot of property, eating up a lot of the natural habitat there," DiFranco said.

DiFranco said she is not necessarily opposed to any construction. "I'm not saying I wouldn't entertain something like a museum or a research center."

Cook said she does not want any expansion beyond "the footprint" of the existing building.

Despite the city commissioners' concerns, county commissioners were able to keep the possibility that developers could pitch a hotel in any proposals they submit.

"I would ask you to leave the possibility of a hotel there and see what you get," Patterson said.

County Commissioner Christine Robinson said future development can protect the environment while also being an economic asset. "I think we can do both."

At Yellowstone National Park, she noted, "the grand lodge sits next to Old Faithful."

"Our commission has no intention of taking the property and developing the daylights out of it," Robinson said.

Commissioner Joe Barbetta frequently expressed exasperation that, more than two years after the joint purchase, no progress has been made on a public-private partnership and taxpayers' $5.5 million investment. He adamantly wants a hotel on the property.

"Nine months from now we'll be right back talking the same thing," Barbetta said.

<p><em>SARASOTA COUNTY</em> - When a concessionaire's lease of Warm Mineral Springs expires June 30, the Sarasota County Commission and North Port City Commission want to ensure that the tourist attraction remains open.</p><p>The city and county, which jointly purchased the springs for $5.5 million in December 2010, agreed to seek competitive bids on a new lease that would keep the mineral springs and its spa, cafe and gift shop operating another 10 months.</p><p>Cypress Lending, which currently manages the springs, and Dr. Grigory Pogrebinsky's investment group, WMS Sarasota, which owns 16 acres adjacent to the springs where it wants to build a hotel and medical complex, are likely to be among those who submit offers.</p><p>In the meantime, the City Commission and County Commission will try again to craft a proposal that will encourage developers to submit ideas for a public-private partnership that would preserve the springs while also encouraging economic development.</p><p>In November, the North Port Commission, with two newly elected members, rejected "an invitation to negotiate" recommended by the county as too broad and not allowing enough public oversight.</p><p>On Wednesday, during a seven-hour mediation session intended to keep them from taking their dispute to court, the city and county commissioners still could not come to terms about what they think should be done on the 81 acres.</p><p>The county commissioners unanimously think a resort could be built there.</p><p>North Port Commissioner Tom Jones, who has returned to work after three months recovering from a stroke, and City Commissioner Jim Blucher said they do so, as well.</p><p>Blucher said the springs can be protected from development with an adequate buffer. "Why wouldn't you want a hotel on the rest of it?... We don't need to protect that. We need to build on that."</p><p>Blucher stressed that the property's "activity center" zoning allows residential and commercial development. "It was always intended to be built on," he said.</p><p>North Port Mayor Linda Yates reiterated her position that the entire property be maintained as a public park and that she still dislikes the idea of a private entity profiting from a public amenity.</p><p>Yates tried to persuade the county commissioners to sell the county's half-interest to the city. The county commissioners unanimously refused.</p><p>"If you're interested in selling, the county is interested in buying," County Commissioner Nora Patterson told the mayor.</p><p>The City Commission rejected a previous offer the county made to buy the city's stake in the springs for less than it paid.</p><p>Yates and city commissioners Rhonda DiFranco and Cheryl Cook stressed that they do not want to see commercial enterprises added to the property.</p><p>If a 100-room hotel and parking lot were built, "you're eating up a lot of property, eating up a lot of the natural habitat there," DiFranco said.</p><p>DiFranco said she is not necessarily opposed to any construction. "I'm not saying I wouldn't entertain something like a museum or a research center."</p><p>Cook said she does not want any expansion beyond "the footprint" of the existing building.</p><p>Despite the city commissioners' concerns, county commissioners were able to keep the possibility that developers could pitch a hotel in any proposals they submit.</p><p>"I would ask you to leave the possibility of a hotel there and see what you get," Patterson said.</p><p>County Commissioner Christine Robinson said future development can protect the environment while also being an economic asset. "I think we can do both."</p><p>At Yellowstone National Park, she noted, "the grand lodge sits next to Old Faithful."</p><p>"Our commission has no intention of taking the property and developing the daylights out of it," Robinson said.</p><p>Commissioner Joe Barbetta frequently expressed exasperation that, more than two years after the joint purchase, no progress has been made on a public-private partnership and taxpayers' $5.5 million investment. He adamantly wants a hotel on the property.</p><p>"Nine months from now we'll be right back talking the same thing," Barbetta said.</p>